The Fan's Year in Sports, 2012

Britt ChesterFor Peyton Manning's regular season debut on September 9, Broncos fans donned blue and orange and accessories to tailgate before the game. And it seems like it might have worked: The Broncos beat the Steelers 31-19. See more Broncos tailgating photos.
1/50

Mike Stolp-SmithThousands descended upon Straddleline Raceway in August in Seattle for the "Dirty Dash." See more Dirty Dash Seattle photos.
2/50

Ian WitlenAmateur pilots took to the waters of Biscayne Bay to test their creations for Red Bull Flugtag Miami. See more Red Bull Flugtag Miami photos.
3/50

Christopher VictorioSan Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo poses with a police officer while wearing a shirt that reads "I just look illegal." More than one million fans crowded downtown San Francisco on October 31 to celebrate the Giants' second World Series title in three years. See more San Francisco Giants World Series Parade photos.
5/50

Joshua HustonTony Hawk and his Birdhouse buddies were in Seattle in July to try out the city's new Jefferson Park Skatepark. See more Tony Hawk in Seattle photos.
6/50

Benjamin LeathermanThe US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix was packed on July 15 for the WWE's "Money in the Bank" pay-per-view event. See more WWE Money in the Bank Phoenix photos.
7/50

Benjamin LeathermanThink you're a die-hard fan of Arizona State University's football squad? Well, in all likelihood you're nowhere near as passionate about ASU pigskin as the hundreds of madcap maroon-and-gold-wearing college kids who occupy the student section at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Photographed in August after ASU's win over the NAU Lumberjacks. See more ASU student photos.
8/50

Joshua HustonTony Hawk and his Birdhouse buddies were in Seattle in July to try out the city's new Jefferson Park Skatepark. See more Tony Hawk in Seattle photos.
10/50

Jon GitchoffA scene from "MMA Fight Night" at Lumiere Casino in St. Louis on January 28. See more St. Louis MMA photos.
11/50

Britt ChesterFor Peyton Manning's regular season debut on September 9, Broncos fans donned blue and orange and accessories to tailgate before the game. And it seems like it might have worked: The Broncos beat the Steelers 31-19. See more Broncos tailgating photos.
12/50

Ian WitlenAmateur pilots took to the waters of Biscayne Bay to test their creations for Red Bull Flugtag Miami. See more Red Bull Flugtag Miami photos.
13/50

Benjamin LeathermanThink you're a die-hard fan of Arizona State University's football squad? Well, in all likelihood you're nowhere near as passionate about ASU pigskin as the hundreds of madcap maroon-and-gold-wearing college kids who occupy the student section at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Photographed in August after ASU's win over the NAU Lumberjacks. See more ASU student photos.
15/50

Jon GitchoffA scene from "MMA Fight Night" at Lumiere Casino in St. Louis on January 28. See more St. Louis MMA photos.
22/50

Britt ChesterFor Peyton Manning's regular season debut on September 9, Broncos fans donned blue and orange and accessories to tailgate before the game. And it seems like it might have worked: The Broncos beat the Steelers 31-19. See more Broncos tailgating photos.
23/50

Benjamin LeathermanThink you're a die-hard fan of Arizona State University's football squad? Well, in all likelihood you're nowhere near as passionate about ASU pigskin as the hundreds of madcap maroon-and-gold-wearing college kids who occupy the student section at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Photographed in August after ASU's win over the NAU Lumberjacks. See more ASU student photos.
31/50

Christopher VictorioGiants relief pitcher/hipster Brian Wilson -- injured during the post-season -- after the World Series parade. More than one million fans crowded downtown San Francisco on October 31 to celebrate the Giants' second World Series title in three years. See more San Francisco Giants World Series Parade photos.
37/50

Christopher VictorioGiants TV broadcaster Jon Miller (left) shows off his Gangnam Style. More than one million fans crowded downtown San Francisco on October 31 to celebrate the Giants' second World Series title in three years. See more San Francisco Giants World Series Parade photos.
39/50

Benjamin LeathermanThe US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix was packed on July 15 for the WWE's "Money in the Bank" pay-per-view event. See more WWE Money in the Bank Phoenix photos.
45/50

Britt ChesterFor Peyton Manning's regular season debut on September 9, Broncos fans donned blue and orange and accessories to tailgate before the game. And it seems like it might have worked: The Broncos beat the Steelers 31-19. See more Broncos tailgating photos.
46/50

Often what goes on off the field is just as interesting as what's happening under the lights. Go back through tailgate parties, cheerleader try-outs, skateboarding events, championship parades, roller derby bouts, a little MMA and even a little flugtag with the fan's year in sports from across the country. Compiled from Voice Media Group alt-weeklies.